Control mechanism



Sept. 26, 1939. S.VMAYNER 2,174,470

CONTROL MECHANI SM Filed April 9, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l Stanles Magnet 45 lNvLNTOQ ATTQR r0515 Sept. 26, 1939. s MAYNER 2,174,470

CONTROL MECHANISM Filed April 9, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 StQtxR Magnw ATTORNT$ Patented Sept. 26, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to control mechanism, more particularly adapted for use in connection with steam radiators, and has for an object the provision of mechanism for maintaining a constant low pressure source, in conjunction with portions of the view being broken away to better accommodate the same to the sheet,

Figure 2 is an enlarged, broken, side elevational view, showing parts of the structure in section,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary, horizontal sectional view, corresponding substantially to the line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view, corresponding substantially to the line 4-4 of Figure 2, and showing parts of the structure in elevation,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary, front elevational view of thermostatic means employed in connection with the invention,

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary, horizontal sectional view, corresponding substantially to the line 66 of Figure 5, while Figure '7 is an enlarged, part side elevational, part vertical sectional view, of radiator valve means, and control means cooperable therewith.

As shown in the drawings (Figures 1 and '7), a fragment of a steam radiator is indicated at H], provided with an inlet valve having a partition I2, apertured and formed with a valve seat !3 which affords communication between a main steam inlet pipe l4, and the radiator l0. Cooperable with the valve seat I 3, is a valve I5, mounted upon a stem I6, which reciprocates through a packing gland ll, the outer end of the stem l6 being pivotally connected, as at l8, with a lever l3, which is pivoted, as at 20, upon a supporting frame 2|, fixed to the casing of the valve The opposite, or long end of the lever i9, is pivotally connected, as at 22, to an actuating link 23, and the opposite end of the link 23 is connected to a diaphragm 24, mounted in a diaphragm casing 25. The casing 25 is fixed upon the supporting frame 2|, and below the diaphragm 24 cooperates to provide a chamber 26, open to atmosphere through openings 21, and above the diaphragm 24 to provide a chamber 28. Attached to the lower end of the link 23 is a tension spring 29, the opposite end thereof being secured to a spaced part of the supporting frame 2|, the spring 29 normally urging the lever l9 toward 5 such a position as to hold the valve l5 off of its seat l3. A manually manipulable screw 3| takes through a part of the supporting frame 2| in line with the upper end of the valve stem l3, and when the screw is threaded inwardly against the 10 valve stem IS, the valve l5 may be manually closed and rigidly held to its seat, the screw 3|, however, normally being disposed in a retracted position.

Communicating with the closed chamber 28 1.5 of the diaphragm casing 25 is a pipe 32, the outer end of which has a cap 33 threaded thereon, and the cap 33 is provided with an aperture 34 communicating with atmosphere. Concentrically disposed within a portion of the pipe 32 adjacent its outer end, is a smaller pipe 35, the adjacent end 36 of which projects beyond the outer end of the pipe 32, and a continuing portion of which extends centrally through the larger pipe 32 a considerable distance, and then emerges at an 25 angle through the wall of the pipe 32, as at 31, and at its outer end the pipe communicates with a vacuum tank 38.

Operating within the cap 33 is a valve 39, mounted upon a valve stem 40, the valve 39 being adapted alternately to close the mouth of the smaller pipe 35, leaving the valve aperture 34 open, and then to open the mouth of the pipe 35 and close the valve aperture 35. Reciprocation of the valve stem 40 is effected by move- 35 ment of an oscillatory actuator 4|, pivoted, as at Ma, and carrying a spring arm 42 connected to the valve stem 40. A bimetallic thermostatic element 43 has its end accommodated in a notch 33a in the upper end of the oscillatory actuator 40 4| and when cooled rocks the actuator 4| in a counter-clockwise direction to seat the valve 39 upon the open end of the pipe 35 and effect opening of the main valve I5, and when heated rocks the actuator 4| in a clockwise direction to move 45 the valve 39 to position to close the valve opening 34, and effect closing of the main valve l5.

A curved spring 44 is mounted beneath the actuator' 4| and the end Ma engages in a notch 44b in the lower end of the actuator, the spring 44 tending to hold the actuator 4| in a central position, and operating when the thermostatic element has moved the actuator 4| past center, either in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, to snap the actuator to its extreme position, and aided by the resiliency of the spring arm 42, resiliently maintains the valve 39 tightly closing the aperture 36 or the end of the pipe 35, as the case may be, the surfaces of the notches 43a and Mb being cam shaped to facilitate proper action as described.

When the valve 39 is in position to close the mouth of the pipe 35, atmospheric air enters the diaphragm chamber 23 through the pipe 32, equalizing pressure upon both sides of the diaphragm, whereupon the spring 29 will pull the link 23 downwardly, and through the lever i9 unseat the valve Hi. When the thermostatic device 43 moves the valve 39 to close the aperture 34, and to open the mouth of the pipe 35, air is exhausted through the pipe 35 leading to the vacuum tank 38, and a vacuous condition produced in the large pipe 32, which greatly reduces the pressure in the diaphragm chamber 28, permitting atmospheric pressure on the opposite side of the diaphragm 24 to lift the diaphragm, and through the link 23, lever 59, and valve stem i6, seat the valve l upon the valve seat I3.

Means are provided for maintaining vacuum at a predetermined constant low pressure level in the vacuum tank 38, these means comprising a pipe E5, tapped into the steam pipe M, in advance of the valve H, the pipe d5 leading to a valve casing 45. The valve casing '35 has an inlet chamber 37, a partition 38 apertured to provide a valve seat '39, and an outlet chamber 50, communicating with a condensation apparatus 5!. The condensation apparatus 5! is in the form of a miniature steam radiator, having very thin walls to induce rapid condensation, and may include as many communicating sections as desired, and each section is provided with an inclined bottom 52 to drain liquid of condensation from section to section and through the valve 46 in a manner presently to be explained. The condensation apparatus 5! communicates through a fitting 53, with a housing 54, provided at its top with a valve opening 55. The housing 54 communicates through a pipe 55 with the vacuum tank 38, and between the end of the pipe 56, and the tank 3-8, there is a valve casing 57, having a valve 58 which normally closes a valve opening 59 leading into the tank 38, under the influence of an expansion spring 60, the valve 58 providing one-Way passage of air out of the vacuum tank 38.

Formed in the housing 54 is a sub-compartment 6!, having its interior sealed from the interior of the housing 54, and arranged within the sub-compartment 6!, and in spaced relation with respect thereto, is a Sylphon bellows 62, and the space between the Walls of the Sylphon bellows and the wall of the sub-compartment 6|, is filled with an expansible liquid, indicated at B3. A float 55a is preferably disposed normally to rest upon the top wall of the sub-compartment GI, and is provided with a valve projection 55b adapted in one position to close the valve opening 55.

Secured centrally to the inner wall of the Sylphon bellows 52 is a plunger M, which projects outwardly beyond the lower wall of the sub-compartment El a considerable distance, and the plunger 64 has a nut 65 threaded thereon, upon which bears an arm 56, secured to a rod 6?, nor mally urged downwardly by a spring 68, bearing between a collar 69 secured on the rod 6?, and a rigid extension on the wall of the housing 54, the opposite or upper end of the rod 51 having an arm 'H secured thereto, and provided with a cushion type valve 12 adapted in one position of the arm H to close the valve opening 55. The projecting part of the plunger 64 beyond the nut 65, is provided with a pair of adjustably spaced nuts 13, between which is disposed a ring or collar 1 3 surrounding the plunger, and forming part of a lever 75. The lever 15 is pivoted, as at 16, to an extension 11, formed on the valve casing 46, and at its extremity is formed with a cam surface 78 adapted to engage a roller "(9, carried by a valve stem 80, leading into the outlet chamber 53 of the valve casing 66, and carrying a valve indicated generally at 8!. The valve ill comprises a flange 82 on the stem 85, accommodated in a cup member 83, a spring 84 being interposed between the flange 82 and the bottom wall of the cup member, and held in position by a split ring 85 fitted into a groove in the rear of the flange 82. Adjacent the valve seat 49 the cup-shaped member 83 is socketed to accommodate a packing 86 held in place by a stud and nut arrangement 8'7. A coiled spring 88 normally holds the valve 8| in an open position.

The lever i5 is provided with an arm 89, pivotally connected to the piston 93 of a dashpot 9!, a screw 32 being provided for controlling the amount of resistance set up by the dash-pot arrangement, this arrangement serving to retard closing of the valve 8! for a purpose hereinafter appearing.

Coupled with the vacuum tank 38 by means of a pipe 93 is a diaphragm casing 94, having a diaphragm 95 therein, the pipe 93 communicating with the sealed upper chamber 96 thereof, while the lower chamber 9? is open to atmosphere. Connected to the diaphragm 95 is a rod 98, normally urged in a downward direction by a coiled spring 93 interposed between a collar I09 on the rod and an extension lili on the wall of the housing 56. The lower end of the rod 98 is connected to one end of a dog I82, pivoted on the same axis as the lever 15, the dog H32 having a cam end H33 adapted in one position of the parts to seat behind the pin Hi4 so as to hold the valve member 8! in closed position, and thus arrest operation of the apparatus.

In operation, and assuming the valve 8| to be opened, steam passes through the pipe l4 into the pipe 45, thence through the valve opening 49 into the condensation apparatus 5|, through said apparatus, through the fitting 53 into the space between the housing 5 and the sub-casing 6!, driving air before it, and this air escapes through the valve opening 55 which at this stage of the operation is open. When the steam enters the housing 54 the heat thereof is transmitted to the Wall of the sub-casing 6!, heats the liquid 63 therein causing the same to expand, and imparting downward movement to the Sylphon bellows 62. This movement is transmitted to the plunger 64, causing lowering of the nut 65, and under the influence of the spring 68, the valve 12 closes the valve opening 55. Downward movement of the plunger 54 also effects oscillation of the lever 15, and the cam surface '18 thereof presses the valve stem 80 and valve 8i inwardly, to close passage of steam through the valve opening 49.

Once steam is cut oif from the condensation apparatus the steam therein, aided by the thin Walls thereof, will quickly condense, greatly lowering pressure, creating partial vacuum, not only in the condensation apparatus itself, but also within the housing 54, and, by reason of communication of the housing 54 with the vacuum tank 38, within the vacuum tank 38 also. Liquid of condensation will drain down the inclined wall 52 into the chamber of the valve casing 46, through the valve opening 49, and out through the pipe 45, more eflective draining of the liquid of condensation being obtained because of relatively slow closing movement of the valve 8|, as retarded by the dash-pot 9|. The float 55a is intended merely as a means to prevent water flowing out of the valve opening 55 should the water of condensation rise greatly above normal.

Repeated cycles of operation will occur automatically, it being pointed out that as soon as the liquid 63 has cooled, the parts will operate to again open the valve 8|, whereupon the cycle is repeated, each successive cycle more and more reducing the pressure in the vacuum tank 38, until a predetermined degree is reached, this being controlled by operation of the diaphragm 95. Adjustment of the nuts 13 controls the period of time the valve 8| remains closed, and these nuts are normally so adjusted that the valve 8| remains closed a suflicient length of time to obtain a maximum degree of vacuum within the condensation apparatus 5| incident to condensation. As soon as the pressure in the tank 38 is low enough to cause elevation of the diaphragm 95, the rod 98 is lifted causing the dog I02 to be oscillated about its pivot so as to bring the cam end into engagement behind the roller 19 and thus hold the valve 8| in closed position and arrest operation of the device.

With a constant low pressure maintained in the vacuum tank 38, immediately upon movement of the valve 39 to open the end of the pipe 35, a low vacuous condition will be produced in the chamber 28 of the diaphragm casing 25, permitting atmospheric pressure to quickly elevate the diaphragm 24 and close the valve I5. With the valve 39 again seated to close the end of the pipe 35, atmospheric air enters the pipe 32, relieves the vacuous condition in the diaphragm chamber 28, and when the pressure on both sides of the diaphragm is equalized, the spring 29 pulls the link 23 downwardly and opens the valve I5.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have accomplished at least the principal object of my invention, and it also will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiment herein described may be variously changed and modified, without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention is capable of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described; hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed embodiment is illustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

Apparatus of the character described, comprising: a steam radiator, having a supply conduit and an inlet valve; a condensation chamber communicating with said supply conduit in advance of said inlet valve; means for trapping steam in said condensation chamber; means actuated by the heat of said steam prior to condensation to bring about movement of said trapping means; a reservoir communicating with said condensation chamber and adapted to be exhausted of air by successive trappings and condensations in said condensation chamber; means for controlling operation of said apparatus to maintain a source of low pressure in said reservoir at a predetermined constant level; and means for employing the low pressure source for controlling the inlet valve of said radiator.

STANLEY MAYNER. 

